Sunday, June 5, 2016

Thermoform Trays: Some Interesting Facts & Information

By Lenna Stockwell


There can be many different types of thermoformed trays. In some instances, these might include just one single compartment often to hold just one item or perhaps to tote several items. In other cases, you will need to have a thermoform tray designed with several different, uniquely designed cavities to hold and protect several different items or parts. Often these thermoform trays are used to house food products.

The process of plastic thermoforming is the manufacturing method used to create thermoformed trays. This process begins by feeding huge sheets of thermoplastic into a machine. This machine will heat the plastic and when it reaches a certain temperature, the machine will use great force to direct the thermoplastic into specially designed molds. Once the plastic has been formed into a tray, it then should be cooled and any extra plastic will be trimmed from the thermoform tray and recycled.

Food packaging containers are also formed this way. The container can carry significant amount of food hence making it very ideal for carrying food. You might see these thermoformed trays used for frozen food containers, for food storage containers and for items such as cookies and crackers. These latter items will be placed in a tray and then often placed inside a plastic or foil bag or perhaps a box for further protection.

Of course, these thermoformed trays also can be used as packaging for other industries as well. This includes firms such as those that make medical kits. For these trays, cavities will hold both syringes and bottles of medicine or perhaps various medical instruments. Additionally, you will find thermoformed trays used by the electronics industry and many retail manufacturers. The materials used during thermoforming process include polypropylene, PVC, LDPE, HDPE, OPS, HIPS, polystyrene, PET and recycled PET.

PVC, also known as polyvinyl chloride, is a commonly used material for thermoforming. It is quite inexpensive and very lightweight, both of which are attractive to companies needed thermoform trays. Additionally, PVC is very easy to form and, once cooled, it is also quite durable. While there are a few disadvantages as well, PVC often is a popular packaging or thermoform tray plastic.

Polyethylene terephthalate is quite a term to remember, which is why most people in the thermoforming industry simply call this PET. It is yet another highly popular choice for packaging and thermoform trays. It is quite a good choice when one needs to store water or other types of liquids, as it offers very good barrier protection. When one adds polyvinyl alcohol to PET, this further enhances its liquid-holding ability and reduces the overall oxygen permeability, which might be something you need for your unique product.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment